Eazy E

Eazy E is known by many as the Godfather of Gangsta Rap. Unfortunately, he passed away on March 30, 1995 due to complications of the AIDS virus. Before all that, we know he formed one of, if not the greatest hip hop group of all-time, NWA. Ice Cube eventually left the group, recorded a diss track and Dr. Dre also parted ways with Eazy E. After joining Death Row, Dr. Dre released his classic album, The Chronic where took shots at Eazy E. Eazy E responded by dropping his second EP, It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa. It became Eazy E’s most successful album by quickly going double platinum in 1994. The album was a diss to Dr. Dre, plus he included some jabs at Snoop Dogg. The most talked about track on the album was Real Muthaphuckkin G’s featuring B.G. Knocc Out and Dresta.

Honestly, this wasn’t the best work from Eazy E, but off the strength of the Dr. Dre disses, it serves its purpose. This would be the final album E would drop while he was alive. With his tragic passing, we didn’t get the chance to see the reunion of NWA. Years later, the group received the recognition they deserved as their movie, Straight Outta Compton did amazing box office numbers. As we all know, Straight Outta Compton was a movie about NWA which is also the title of their debut album. Check out the second EP dropped 25 years ago by the late, great Eazy E.

Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella. Since the movie, Straight Outta Compton we all know the stories of these five guys. They were just four guys from Compton who wanted to make some money in the rap game. Eazy-E was the money and brains behind the group. Dr. Dre was the man behind the boards and was part of the World Class Wreckin Crew. Ice Cube was a young, hungry dude who wanted to get his music out to the world and the same could be said about MC Ren. DJ Yella was the DJ, plus he delved in production also and they all came together and called themselves NWA. 30 years ago today, they dropped their debut album and changed the rap game forever. Artists like 2Pac, Spice 1, Scarface, Geto Boys and many more followed their gangsta rap footsteps.

Straight Outta Compton came out the gate to sell well over 3 million copies. During that time, you had cops, government officials and many others were trying to censor their music. The title track, Straight Outta Compton was the first single released about a month before the album release. Ice Cube, MC Ren and Eazy-E came correct and set the tone for the album. The single went platinum, and everyone anticipated the album. After the album was released and was doing well, they released Gangsta Gangsta as the next single about a month later. Ice Cube delivered on the first three verses and Eazy-E finished off the track with the final verse. With this track, NWA continued their success, and everyone was digging this new form of hip hop.

The album continued to get much play, but NWA dropped another single in the spring of 1989. Express Yourself saw Dr. Dre do his thing on this track as he was the lone rapper on this track. After all these years, Straight Outta Compton is still mentioned as one of the best hip hop albums ever. It’s crazy looking back seeing the stars this group produced. Eazy-E is still viewed as the father of Gangsta Rap and Ice Cube is viewed by many as one of the greatest rappers of all-time. Dr. Dre is looked at as one of the dopest producers ever and released two of the best hip hop albums in the Chronic and Chronic 2001. MC Ren went on to release several underrated albums. Now, Dr. Dre is one of the richest guys in hip hop with his Beats Headphones and Ice Cube has directed classic moves like Friday.

With the falling out between these guys, they never got to get back together. It was in the works, but unfortunately Eazy-E passed away before they got the chance to come together. Ice Cube appeared in the Let Me Ride video and they even came out with the track, Natural Born Killaz on the Murder Was the Case Soundtrack. Ice Cube and Dr. Dre was supposed to come out with a duet album Heltah Skeltah, but it never was released. Either way, NWA is one of the greatest groups ever assembled, so let’s celebrate by listening to Straight Outta Compton.

What do you think about NWA? How about their debut album, Straight Outta Compton? What’s your favorite track off the album? Leave a comment below about anything related to NWA and Rest in Peace to Eazy-E.

On my other website, Daddy’s Hangout I used to feature a dope mixtape every Friday that was called Mixtape Friday. The last one was done almost two years ago, and this is something I wanted to bring back. With my new site up and running, this is the perfect place for it. Sometimes I may feature an actual mixtape and there will be times that something I put together will be featured. Most likely it’ll have to do with hip hop, but occasionally there will be some R&B or old-school slow jams. With Eric B & Rakim celebrating the 30th anniversary of their iconic Follow the Leader album I had an idea. Let’s kick things off with something from the original Golden Age of Hip Hop. On Spotify, this playlist I put together is title, Best of 1988 Volume 1 and the other one drops next Friday.

Volume 1 features some of the dopest track from the year of 1988. This was around the time that I became in love with hip hop by staying the summer with my grandma. My uncle had just graduated high school and I thought he was the coolest dude ever. Most of the time he let me chill in his room, rock his gear and play around with his records. Before then, all I pretty much knew was Motown and trust me, that’s cool. Hip Hop came along, and it changed everything for me. With this playlist, it brings back so many memories and hopefully this will bring appreciate to hip hop in its earlier years. Eric B & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, N.W.A and many others are featured. Check out the playlist above and enjoy your Friday.

What do you think about this playlist? Who’s your favorite artists from this era? What’s your favorite album from 1988? Leave a comment below and enjoy!